Olympia Haarlem has a thing for leaders. Two weeks ago, Zwaluwen ’30 was at the top and came home from a rude awakening in Haarlem.
This Saturday, the current number one of the second division A, Stormvogels, had to make do. It was 2-1 for Olympia Haarlem after a wonderful game of football.
“Everyone is motivated for a match against Stormvogels. Especially after the poor showing we showed last week,” Olympia coach Barry Tjeertes said. It was clear from the start that the Haarlemmers had something to put right. The home club created opportunities with firm, yet creative football. After just three minutes, Noa de Vries shot wide.
But the guests also showed their support. Standout Jan Koridon was a plague for the Olympia defenders with his speed and Mitchel Bormann also proved to be a problem. Yet Olympia took the lead early. After a careful assist from the strong playing Sofyan Monji, Hamza Rahaoui found the far corner with his left foot, which Stormvogels goalkeeper Bas Veen just couldn’t reach. Ten minutes later, Noa de Vries brought Levy van Nispen into position. His shot went narrowly wide.
In the 26th minute it became 2-0. With a wonderful half bicycle kick it was Richie Agyapong who left Bas Veen without a chance this time. Rahaoui could even have scored the third, but his shot ended up on the post.
In between, Gregory van Nieuwkoop was close to a goal on behalf of Stormvogels. Folke Maenhout just tapped the ball over. And after an unprecedented rush from Koridon, Mitchel Bormann also had a great chance to make it 2-1. He just shot over.
He did much better five minutes after the break. Stormvogels had come out of the dressing room a lot fiercer and now imposed its will on Olympia. In a kind of ‘pinball attack’ in which one after the other hit the ball, whether consciously or not, Bormann now hit the mark.
Not to the surprise of his trainer Patrick Krop. “We may not have the best players individually, but we are a team. And as a team you can go far. We have been proving that for four years.” That team was the dominant party after the break. Stormvogels created one opportunity after another, but could not get him in. Brian Ezeoke, Jan Koridon, they either shot just wide or just over. Dustin Mijnders headed wide from a corner four minutes before the end.
The IJmuidense attacking drive also ensured that there were counter opportunities for the home team. Fortunately for the neutral spectators, those opportunities were not wasted on Olympia Haarlem. Because it remained an exciting, attractive match. Which should have made it 2-2 in injury time, but Mijnders somehow failed to take advantage of an imposed opportunity.
“What a nice game, man!” Stormvogels coach Krop proved to be a worthy loser. He enjoyed the match, although he thought his team deserved more, especially after the break. His colleague from Haarlem also thought so, although he focused mainly on the first half of Olympia. Tjeertes: “Then we played really well. After the break we should have been a bit more businesslike in the transition. You know those opportunities will come. But I am very happy with the three points.”
Text and photo: Marcel Akerboom
